Tales from Convention - Day 1 - OHMYGOSH!!!

Today started off early ... got up just before 4:00 a.m. to work on and finish up the last of my swaps ... then went on a run with one of my good Stampin' Up buddies, Mindy Backes. Got ready, ran Jan (aka JanTink) down to the Convention center, took my mom to the beauty parlor (hairdresser??), ran to the store, came home and labeled my swaps, picked Mom up from the beauty parlor (hairdresser??), ran to the store with HER, then headed down to Convention. As I walked in the door, I got a call from Jan ... "Where ARE you??" When I told her I was in the building she said, "Get over here! You MUST go to the Award Booth to see if you won Artisan!!" What???? I thought they were announcing winners at Award Night tomorrow night ... apparently, the finalists were notified, via email, sometime LAST WEEK that they needed to check in to the Awards Booth. Apparently they forgot the "W's" ... never got such an email. When I reached Jan she was encouraging me to get in line. It as VERY long ... I said, "No. Don't really want to. Since I didn't get an email, I'm sure I didn't win." She kept persisting ... finally she said, "See that guy at the corner edge of the booth? All kinds of people have been sneaking up there to ask him quick questions. Why don't you go ask him?" "Um, no. Don't wanna. Pretty sure I didn't win." After much coaxing, Jan finally said, "Ok. I'LL go ask him!" Next thing I know, Jan is calling me over and the very nice Stampin' Up Dude is asking me for my Demo ID number. Before I can hardly believe what is happening, he is handing me my "Artisan" badge. OHMYGOSHOHMYGOSH!!! I WON!!! I cried like a baby ... and Jan cried, too!! She also gave me a big ol' bear hug. And then bought me a Diet Coke a little later because I was having a headache after all the excitement!! The sign of a TRUE BFF!!! Love ya, friend!! (I also hafta admit that I did a little happy jig in there, somewhere!!)

It was also TOTALLY FUN that several of my Control Freak buddies were close at hand when I got the news. LOTS of squeals, hugs and laughter. THANKS SO MUCH, LADIES!! You have NO IDEA how much it meant for me to share such an amazing moment with you all!!

So here is some more to share from today ... first off, stuff from Memento Mall ... FREAKIN' CUTE MITTENS!!!

AWESOME TOOLS!! (Which I may label with "You touch this, you DIE!!")

ADORABLE MINI-MAGNET BOARDS AND POST-IT NOTES!! (How stinkin' ca-YOOT are those mini-magnet boards???) And the Post-It notes!! Nicely-sized and very pretty ... all the better to "flag" those catalog pages with the MUST HAVE items!!

AMAZING CARD TREE!! (I can not only envision this laden with lovely cards, but I can also see it hung with seasonal ornaments! LOVE IT!!)

And talk about Customer Service!! This is me and my new DS Buddy, Riley!! I've actually talked to him TWICE this past week - had to call for a replacement sticker sheet for one of my stamp sets AND called to check on the time intervals for the Home Office Campus Tours during Convention, since they weren't posted on the SU website. Since he told me that he would be working during the Tours today, I told him he could make a LOT of Demo Friends if he had some CHOCOLATE to hand out!! He also mentioned that Diet Coke would probably work!! "Darn right!," I said!! Well, when I showed up for the Tour today, I found him in DS. Decided to have a little fun with him. "What up, Dude??" Where's the M&M's??" He grinned and said, "Stay here." He disappeared for about a minute and a half, then returned with this bag of M&M's and a cold Diet Coke!! AWESOMENESS!! Seriously!!! Now THAT'S what I call good Demo Service!! I SOOOO LOVE SU!!! Thanks, Bud!! You MADE my day!!

Here are two of my besties, Emilie and Cheryl. They were SOOO happy for me. It's overwhelming to have the support of such wonderful friends. Love you, Girlies!! (Looks like we're in Hawaii, right??? We are actually in the atrium at the SU Home Office!! Beautiful!!)

And last, but not least, here is a peekie to one of my swaps cards (don't tell, ok? These are for TOMORROW!!) Finally got these finished up this morning!!

Stamps: Road to Happiness
Paper: Basic Black, Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Marina Mist, Daffodil Delight, Polka Dot Parade DSP
Ink: Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler
Accessories: 1 3/8", 1 1/4" and 1" Square Punches, 1/2" Circle Punch, Decorative Label Punch, Chevron Textured Impressions Folder, Silver Brads, Whisper White Baker's Twine, Paper Piercing Tool/Mat, Crystal Effects

I think at this point, even my HAIR is tired, so I'm off to Never-Never Land!! Hope I can sleep!! I'm SOOOO excited!!!